32 Love and Justice.

I heard what happened, she said staring deeply into his eyes. I decided to come.

Oh lily, he said hugging her, why did you take such risk?

"I had to."

"I miss you. "

He kissed her as the others were quiet watching the whole spectacle.

Gerald, we are not alone, she told him, almost blushing.

Oh dear, he said, embarrassed.

Em, everyone, he looked at them with his arms on her.

My lady, lily duchess of avelon.

They all welcomed her as the leader beamed at her and said aloud.

"I told you all we are not alone in this".

... ... .... .... ... .... ..... ........ ......

"My father is dead, he died in the battlefield. "

Williams stood in front of the men who we're the kingmakers and dukes of the smaller villages in the kingdom.

He had just officially announced his father's death, Just as he should.

They we're all silent, he wondered if they were grieving or didn't believe me.

This was the beginning of the rites observed for the transfer of power, he was suppose to be king now after they formally buried his father. No one knew about his illegitimacy or do they?

"your father would be buried then we have to coronate you as the king but first you must get married. " one of them said disrupting the silence.

Damn, he had totally forgotten about that, it was a necessary custom for him to do so, without that he can't be king.

I will, he told them, uncertain about it, he had to get a bride fast and the only person that came to his mind was " her".

Just after they left, Natalie came walking to him.

Did you hear all that? He asked her, surprised by her sudden presence.

I guess so, I was eavesdropping anyways that is beside the point. What they said, do you have any plans? She asked him.

"Plans,yes. "

"I need you".

"You do? What for, I mean we are all in this together."

Natalie, he told her holding her hands and drawing her close to him. She felt a tingle as they shared the same air.

If he was going to talk about...

Natalie, marry me, he said, his voice calm and firm.

Marry you? Is this some sort of joke or what, I can't, I can't do that, she said removing her hands from his but still standing there. She was too dazed to look him in his face.

But that is the only way, look I can't be king if I don't and if I am not Sebastian will...

So this is all about you been king, all this time, it is just your quest in being the king, right?

"How can you say that Natalie, you of all people know that o don't give a damn about this kingship but at the same time it all comes back to me. "

She turned her back on him, deep in thoughts, why do they keep going in circles, why do all of them try to acquire her, was she some kind of object that has no feelings.

"Look Natalie, if I don't, Sebastian will and you know how he would. "

Is this about the kingship or the marriage, she asked still backing him.

Both, the future of both my people, yours and the others Sebastian is going to enslave if we don't do something, it is all in your hands, he said as he was leaving her.

My people! She thought, the face of the young man who she saw at Sebastian camp was floating on her memory, if not for anything for them, all of them who are striving to accomplish this.

Sebastian! She called after him just as soon as he wanted to leave.

"I will do it, I have to."

You are right, this is the only thing.

He came to her and hugged her, Trust me, this is for the best for all of us.

... ..... .... .... .... ...... ...... ... ...... .........

More than hundred men wounded? He asked the man who only nodded in response.

Damn, that was a lot, it would take me some months for them to recover and be fit to go for another quest. And a quest as important as sieging "milerus" would need a great deal of warriors.

He also needed rest, he was out if shape at the moment and will also need some time to be fit for any kind of attack.

His heart burned as he remerbered what that roque Gerald did to him. He had fought and held him which had given him some bruises that was now healing.

Everyone of them will pay, he swore under his breath, he imagined what their faces would look when he attacks their kingdoms.

It would be a beautiful sight, he thought grinning.

This was only the beginning.

..... ..... ...... ...... ....... ...... ....... ....

Someone is here to see you, a guard came and informed him.

Who might that be? He asked.

Duchess of avelon....

"Williams".

"Lily I can't believe my eyes, how did you?"

Oh, I am not alone, Gerald came with me, she said smiling .

Gerald came there and sighed, I thought we were reaching the end of the earth.

Williams laughed, he realized he hadn't since his father's death. He felt good to see them.

How are you? He asked lily after they had settled down.

I am fine, I had to come, you know I would never miss your fathers funeral, she told him.

My father's funeral?I didn't know you liked him that much, he said smirking at her.

He knew that that was not the reason , something was wrong.

She sighed and she looked at him, you know so much about me, you can tell if something is wrong.

Lily, we have known each other since childhood,you can't hide things from me. "

Actually I am here because I was feeling guilty.

Guilty? Why?

I felt like I was the reason why Natalie was kidnapped, I told Sebastian where you all we're without thinking, I...

Hey, hey, hey, lily stop that, that is past now and it wasn't your fault, you didn't know, he said interrupting her.

But...

But nothing, I don't blame you for anything, we have gone past that and natalie is safe now.

You know I wasn't myself after that, my mind kept throbbing me about what I did and then I heard your father was dead. I couldn't take it anymore, I had to come.

Well, I am glad you are here but do me a Favour, stop blaming yourself.

Thank you, she said as she nodded holding back her tears.

Well that was very emotional to watch but I am hungry, are any of you not?

Gerald told them and They all laughed heartily,

Keep your voices down, you all know we are suppose to be grieving, she said coming to them.

Natalie, oh good gracious you are here! Lily exclaimed.

"Of course I am, where would I have been, well I was sleeping when your voices woke me up, at first I thought I was dreaming then I heard it again so I came to check if the Williams had finally run mad talking to himself. "

I nearly ran mad when you we're taken away by Sebastian, he said to her, his eyes meeting with hers.

She flashed him a smile and sat next to lily.

Oh dear, Natalie, I am so happy to see you, lily told her with care in her face.

"Me too, I heard you have been a whole lot of help to us. "

Me? I don't think so, I made a very grave mistake last time and I regretted it. I was the person that told Sebastian your location so he could find you,I didn't know.

All eyes fell on her as they awaited her response.

Emm, you... didn't know who... he was right?

She asked her stuttering.

Yes, it wasn't intentional, I am so sorry.

It is fine, natalie told her, I am ok now, this is why sebastian is our common enemy, I won't stop until he goes down and you will help us, she said squeezing her lily's hands.

'You are a strong woman. '

I have to and first I am getting married to williams, she said aloud to them.

Really? Lily said excited.

"It is not like that..".

We have to get married so I can be king, that is all, it is all part of the plan.

Without me being king, I can't do anything about sebastian, williams explained to them.

This is so sad you have to get married without against your wish just because of this, lily said almost crying.

Hey, I want to do this, I have thought about it and I have decided to, not like I have any choice.

You have a choice, we can divorce after all these is over, Williams told her.

Well you are right, that is the only way, srbastian must be stopped, he can't be given the opportunity to do as he wishes, Gerald told them.

And the rebels are all solidly behind you, its like you are their only hope, think about it, Natalie, Williams, you don't know what you are doing for them, he continued.

Its like you are their savour, you both are doing a great thing for all of us here, lily told them .

Yes I am and there is also an important thing I want to tell you.

Natalie stared at him as if to say," don't do it" but he had made up his mind.

He had to.

My father died not without saying his last words and what he said was... Something I never expected to hear.

What is that? Lily asked confused. She looked at Natalie who turned her face away. Williams stared silent and Gerald and lily both said.

"What is going on?"